Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Thursday that the federal government will give $75 million to organizations that provide services to Indigenous peoples not living on reserves.

“This is money that community organizations will be able to use to combat food insecurity, support vulnerable seniors, help young people at risk, provide mental health services and prevent family violence,” Trudeau said in French at his daily media availability at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa.

The prime minister added that the funding would help Indigenous people living in urban centres. He didn’t name any specific organizations that would benefit from the funding.

In a press release, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said its latest COVID-19 aid will support more projects that address the specific needs of Indigenous populations. Ventures combating food security, providing mental health support, and addressing shortages in sanitation protective equipment can qualify for funding. Support projects for elders and providing transportation and educational materials for First Nations, Inuit and Métis children and youth were other examples given.

Funding will be delivered “in the coming weeks,” PMO said.

The federal government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis has mostly focused on providing support funding to communities, either directly or by way of organizations that represent them.

Indigenous-owned businesses were also part of a grouping – which also included those owned by women, visible minorities, immigrants and disabled people – that have been hurt more than non-“diversity-owned businesses,” as a Canadian Chamber of Commerce survey referred to them.

It showed that these businesses reported a 6-per-cent higher drop in demand than the national average. Close to one-third of these businesses experienced a 50-per-cent or more drop in revenue, as well.

In the early days of the federal government’s pivot to focusing on the pandemic, about two months ago, Trudeau earmarked $15 million for the same purpose as Thursday’s announcement, as part of a larger $305-million support package, called the Indigenous Community Support Fund. The majority of that funding, $215 million, was allocated to each First Nation based roughly on their need, as determined by their population, remoteness and the well-being of the community.

Another $45 million was given to Inuit, by way of allocations decided by the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, which is a non-profit that represents Inuit communities. The last $30 million was for Métis Nations, which their governing members were charged with distributing.